I think that is what we will have to do. I like Midwest Tape and I like being able to do most of my purchasing through them. This will be another inconvenience, and probably more expensive, but there is nothing to say we can't purchase and lend the "retail" edition.
kc

So, do the studios have any actual legal basis to force libraries to
purchase rental editions, or are they relying on their economic sway
over vendors catering to libraries?

My understanding is that libraries are legally entitled to purchase and
lend retail editions (as long as they are lending to individuals
engaging in private use of the material), no matter what label ("For
Home Use Only", the new "Retail Exclusive") the manufacturer chooses to
put on the item. See, for example, the ALA "Video and Copyright Fact
Sheet"
(http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/library/libraryfactsheet/alalib
raryfactsheet7.cfm)

So if Vendor A (e.g., Midwest Tapes) caves to pressure from Fox and only
stocks the new rental-edition DVDs, but Vendor B (e.g., Amazon) does not
and continues to carry retail editions, why not purchase from Vendor B
(presuming, of course, your purchasing department allows you to do so,
you're not dependent on Vendor A's processing services, etc...)?

--
Greg Williams, MLIS
Librarian II
West Linn Public Library
1595 Burns Street
West Linn, OR 97068
(503) 656-7853, x3018
gwilliams@westlinnoregon.gov
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.